2019 Bell's Beer Bayview Mackinac Race: Race Chair Communication

2019 Bell's Beer Bayview Mackinac Race © Martin Chumiecki / Bayview Yacht Club

Wow, July arrived quickly and the weather gods gave us a little of everything for the race. We had 220 boats register with 198 on the starting line. 173 boats completed the race with 25 boats retiring due to mechanical failure or fatigue. All boats and crew were safe. Congratulations to all!

I have to add thank you to all the volunteers from one end of Michigan to the other, so many great people giving countless hours to make this race happen. A special thank you and recognition to the United States Coast Guard for their support of our fleet. They are invaluable partners in insuring that our sailors are safe on the race course.

The Island Awards Party on Tuesday brought great weather and a fantastic performance by the Endless Sumer Band. They did not disappoint. With over 3500 in attendance, all waved their Bell's Beer Bayview Mackinac Race hats to express thanks to Larry Bell for his continued sponsorship of the race.

Sally and Bill Martin, owners of S/V Stripes, were in attendance to accept their many awards this year. They won First in Division I Overall, First in Class B and they won the Pro-Team Challenge for the Red Wings. Congratulations! Thank you for your continued support of the Mackinac Race!

The S/V Sojourner finished and arrived at the Island Awards Party in time to receive the 'Pickle Boat' flag on stage. Congratulations Sea Scouts on finishing the race approximately 7 hours ahead of last year's finish!

We are counting down to the 100thMackinac Race in 2024. It's hard to believe that it all started with 12 boats in 1924. Wow!

I am looking forward to seeing those of you who placed first, second or third or won special trophies at the Awards Dinner at Bayview Yacht Club on September 20th!

To the Race Committee volunteers, Bayview Yacht Club, Port Huron Yacht Club, US Coast Guard, first responders from Mackinac Island to City of Port Huron, a personal thank you from me for all that you do for the race!

In closing, I would like to thank our sponsors and supporters for the race: Bell's Brewery, Grand Hotel, Luca Mariano, Gill, Coral Reef Sailing Apparel, Tito's Handmade Vodka, Pentastar Aviation, North Sails, Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry, Aitken & Ormond Insurance, Frankenmuth Insurance, Sharpe Travel Services, Legal Copy Services, Sykes & Webster - The Burton Families, Bayview Yacht Club Foundation, Detroit Sports Media, Marx Layne, Freighter's Eatery & Tap Room, Futuramic Tool and Engineering, Pink Pony - Chippewa Hotel and Thomas Hardware Company.

I am looking forward to seeing those of you who placed first, second or third or won special trophies at the Awards Dinner at Bayview Yacht Club on September 20th!

For more information visit www.bycmack.com.